by Gregory Frank Harris

Many people have asked me through the years what the difference is between plein air painting and creating work in the studio.  Well, there are many differences, though the goals should be the same in creating a work of art worthy of a signature.

First, when I'm outdoors in front of nature, there are so many elements to contend with, such as weather conditions, my mental attitude, the atmosphere and temperature of the light, etc.   I tend to be a bit impatient, so, setting up my easel and getting prepared is usually difficult for me.   I want to get to painting the scene before the light changes.  There are many other factors such as wind, insects, cars or people around, in other words, a myriad of distractions.  If a painting goes well, it's only because those elements were at a minimum.

The real challenge of painting from life lies in the fact that the artist is hoping to capture a moment in time and that alone is invaluable!  When I create work in the studio, I find it more relaxing and my concentration abilities are far better.  Much of my studio work is the result of life sketches and numerous photographs of the subject.  I rarely "copy" the photograph.  I use photos only as a starting point, then my knowledge in painting from nature kicks in.  I usually have to adjust the colors, especially in the shadow areas.  A photo rarely captures all the nuances the human eye can readily see.  Another advantage of painting in the studio is that the scale of the work can be much larger.  My plein air paintings are of a smaller size, for portability, and take less time to cover the surface, hence the rapid changes in the light, especially sunlight.

Santuario de Guadalupe (Plein Air)                             Santuario de Guadalupe (Studio) 

Though not impossible, as many of the nineteenth century impressionists and naturalists have shown us, to paint from life on a large scale outdoors, to, is a daunting task.   Artists such as Sorolla, Zorn, Monet, and Sargent painted many large scale works out of doors, but usually with the aid of several assistants.

Again, my main objective with any painting I do is to do it well and with excellent craftsmanship.   Whether its plein air or studio, they both have the same reward in that one's knowledge will always advance with either experience.

Gregory Frank Harris is an outstanding contemporary southwest plein air painter.  He has 40 years experiences in oil paintings.  His southwest landscape paintings are exclusively exhibited in Michael Smith Gallery.

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